Project description:The interatrial septum is a structure with complex embryological development. The true atrial septum is a circumscribed structure, and transgression outside of this area during transseptal puncture may result in entry into the extracardiac space or aorta that may result in a pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).
Project description:Transseptal left atrial catheterization is routinely used for many common catheter-based interventions. Tools for transseptal catheterization have advanced over the recent years. Such tools include imaging advances with intracardiac echocardiology as well as an array of needles, wires, and dilators to achieve transseptal access with greater ease and safety. This study will discuss the contemporary tools for transseptal catheterization and guidance for difficult cases.
Project description:BackgroundRadiofrequency catheter ablation is approved effective therapy for premature ventricular contraction. However, the rare but serious complication such as pseudoaneurysm should be given more attention. It is life-threatening due to the high risk of rupture. Only few cases have been reported in the literature. We herein report a huge acute left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after catheter ablation therapy.Case presentationA 69-year-old man underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation for premature ventricular contraction at a local hospital. The patient developed shock the second day after ablation. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed pericardial effusion. Pericardiocentesis was performed, and the puncture fluid was a bloody pericardial effusion. The transthoracic echocardiogram revealed an 9- × 4-cm giant pseudoaneurysm with a cystic structure in the left ventricular inferior wall near the mitral annulus along the left atrium. The pseudoaneurysm was connected to the left ventricular cavity through a 8-mm neck, and the lumen was filled with systolic and diastolic blood flow. The patient underwent three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. The pseudoaneurysm and the tract was clearly visible. Emergency surgery was performed to resect the pseudoaneurysm. A bovine pericardial patch was placed on the neck of the pseudoaneurysm. Echocardiographic examination confirmed the absence of cardiac lesions after the operation.ConclusionsIt is rare to see such a large pseudoaneurysm after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Clinicians should be allert to the potential risks to patients in the process of an effective treatment. Echocardiography plays an important role in the prompt diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. Emergency surgery is a better method for treatment of huge pseudoaneurysm.
Project description:Transseptal puncture (TSP) is performed to access the left side of the heart from the venous circulation. Performed under fluoroscopy with echocardiographic guidance, it is a procedure associated with complications. Pneumopericardium leading to cardiac tamponade is rare following TSP. We present 3 cases of pneumopericardium during TSP and its identification, probable mechanism, and management. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Project description:BackgroundCatheter-associated right atrial thrombus (CRAT) is a recognised complication of central venous catheter (CVC) use for haemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodsThis was a single-centre retrospective longitudinal observational study of consecutive children aged 6 months-18 years over a 7-year period receiving in-centre chronic HD. Echocardiograms as per routine cardiac surveillance were performed 6 months or earlier given clinical concerns.ResultsSixty-five children, 36 boys (55.4%), median (IQR) age 11.8 (5.3, 14.7) years, received HD for kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT). Initial modality was HD in 45 (69.2%), with CVC as initial access in 42 (93.3%) and AVF in 3 (6.7%); in the remaining 20 (30.8%) patients PD was the initial modality before switching to HD. Seven of 65 (10.8%) developed CRAT at median 2 (0.8, 8.4) months from CVC insertion, with one CRAT detected 3 days following insertion. One child had 2 episodes of CRAT and one additionally thrombosed their AVF. No patient had an underlying primary kidney disease associated with a pro-thrombotic state. Those with CRAT were younger, had more frequent CVC change and received dialysis for longer duration compared to those with no CRAT. Six episodes of CRAT (75%) received anticoagulation therapy. Infective complications were observed in 25% and catheter malfunction in 50%. Five CRAT episodes (62.5%) resulted in CVC loss. One patient died after a haemorrhagic complication of anticoagulation and sepsis, and another developed life-threatening superior vena cava obstruction syndrome. Overall mortality 14% (1/7).ConclusionsThis is the first report of CRAT in a paediatric HD population. There was ~ 11% incidence of CRAT in patients receiving chronic HD detected by surveillance echocardiography. Although frequently asymptomatic, CRAT is associated with serious sequelae. Anticoagulation and surveillance with expert echocardiography remain mainstays of management. Graphical abstract.